Brendan Shanahan did not have a season that would measure up to his own standards in 2007-08 with the Rangers, but that didn't stop Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello from agreeing to bring the 39-year-old free agent winger back to the franchise for which he began his NHL career.

Lamoriello said Shanahan has not yet signed a contract and expects that to be finalized over the next few days. It is believed it will be a one-year deal. In the meantime, Shanahan will begin skating in New Jersey while the Devils are on a six-game road trip.

"He has not officially signed a contract," Lamoriello said. "His representative and I will be working that out over the next few days."

Although there has been contact with Shanahan since September, Lamoriello said he had no intention of signing him until the team's recent struggles.

"No. We had spoken to him, like a lot of other people, in September and throughout the year," Lamoriello said. "We met face to face (Friday) and we spoke again Saturday.

"I don't think you ever make a decision based on one or two or even three games. Our specialty teams' lack of success was the impetus. I just think this was the right time."

Even with Shanahan's age? He will turn 40 on Jan. 23.

"I've always believed age is a number," Lamoriello said. "He's always been a player who took care of himself. At this time of year he will not be rushed into anything. I do not feel (age) is a factor."

But was it a nostalgic decision?

"This is hockey. This is a hockey decision 100 percent in every way with his presence and experience," Lamoriello said. "He knows what it takes to win. He's won Stanley Cups."

None with the Devils. He was signed by the St. Louis Blues as a free agent in 1991. It was that signing which brought Scott Stevens to the Devils as compensation and put their Stanley Cup championship run in motion.

Now the Devils are hoping Shanahan can bring some of his winning ways to the Devils.

"In my mind I have tremendous respect for what Brendan can bring and what he has brought through the years," Lamoriello said. "The main impetus is what he can bring to our power play. That's been his forte through the years. We both felt Brendan could add to our specialty teams."

Shanahan has played for the Rangers the past two years, but his play tailed off last season when he scored 46 points (23 goals, 23 assists) in 73 games. At his age, that is a concern. So what happened last season and why did the Rangers not want him back?

"Those are questions I don't have an answer to," Lamoriello said. "I was not there. Saying that, he still scored over 20 goals."

Shanahan was the Devils' first pick (second overall) in the 1987 NHL entry draft.

In 281 career games with the Devils 1987-88 to 1990-91, Shanahan scored 88 goals with 126 assists (214 points). He played 25 playoff games and had 17 points (eight goals, nine assists).

Although Shanahan has let it be known he wanted to return to the Rangers, Lamoriello said he didn't feel like the future Hall of Famer settled on the Devils.

"I don't even look at that or think about that," the GM said. "I go way back with Brendan. I respect his integrity and character."

Lamoriello said he does not expect Shanahan to be used strictly as a power play specialist.

"I am not going to get into how he'd be used," the GM said. "In my mind Brendan can be a full-time player. He's not being signed just to play on power plays or shorthanded."

Lamoriello, who indicated salary cap space was not a reason behind the contract holdup, said he was not interested in signing Shanahan earlier this season. The GM had maintained he wanted to give the organization's young player a chance.

Now the Devils are older than they were last season.

"When you say (the team) is older, you have to look at the players who are playing," Lamoriello said. "We have players starting to come on at Lowell (AHL). We feel very good about them. But we don't feel they're ready to play here."